News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
PORT HARDY/PORT MCNEILL
Olympia Electric Ice Resurfacer, made possible by Climate Action Funding from the Province of British Columbia and the North Island Community Forest Fund, has been delivered to the District of Port Hardy.
This summer, 19 Deep Public House, which will be housed on the ground floor of Hotel 19, will open in Port Hardy.
A’ek̓aḵilaxan’s Gukwalut/Nourish North Network (previously known as the Mount Waddington Food Hub) and the Kwakiutl First Nation are collaborating to create a financial forecast and business plan for a regional composting enterprise.
The District of Port Hardy is requesting quotations for hauling liquid sludge site to site between the Airport Wastewater Treatment Plant to the Tsulquate Wastewater Treatment Plant. Work is to be scheduled and completed on a weekly basis in less than 4 hours of time on a mutually agreed upon day each week.
The District of Port Hardy is seeking proposals for the development of wayfinding signage. The proponent will provide professional services for the planning, design, consultation, coordination, and implementation support of a comprehensive community wayfinding and digital mapping system for the District.
CAMPBELL RIVER
Tom Miller
Congratulations to Tom Miller, a partner with CNB, on being awarded the CPA British Columbia Early Achievement Award.
Naturally Pacific Resort has officially officially joined the Tourism Industry Association of Canada and earned Biosphere Certification.
The Campbell River Community Foundation (CRCF) recently announced the establishment of The Heart, a new co-working space in downtown Campbell River. It is located at 302-871 Island Highway.
CNB has been named the Professional Services Firms Enterprise of the Year at the Vancouver Island Business Excellence Awards.
WestJet will launch a new seasonal, non stop service between Calgary and Campbell River beginning May 15, 2026 from the Campbell River Airport. Operating from May through October 2026, the service will provide residents, businesses, and visitors with greater choice and more convenient access to a major national and international travel hub.
COMOX VALLEY
$1.3 million has been raised by the Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation to improve diagnostic imaging services at the Comox Valley Hospital.
The town council of Comox approved a new Official Community Plan (OCP) that will, in accordance with provincial law, direct community priorities, land use decisions, and growth over the ensuing decades.
PARKSVILLE-QUALICUM
The construction of a new Clubhouse at Pheasant Glen Golf Resort is currently underway.
Applications for the Parksville-Qualicum Community Foundation‘s yearly Community Fund Grants are currently being accepted.
The Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League Generals and the Regional District of Nanaimo announced that work on the new dressing room inside the Howie Meeker Arena at Oceanside Place is currently underway and should be finished by spring 2026.
Guests at The Tide’s Inn enjoy complimentary, unlimited mini golf at Paradise Fun Park.
TrueWave Integrative Health Clinic, an urgent primary care clinic, has opened in Qualicum Beach.
PORT ALBERNI
The modified traffic pattern around Clutesi Haven Marina is still in effect as operations transition, due to the ongoing roundabout construction by the Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MOTT).
Dolan’s Gas Fitting & Heating has moved to its new location at 4494 Margaret Street, Port Alberni.
Wet Coast Gutters and Exteriors Ltd. will be at the upcoming Home Show which will be held from February 28 – March 1 at 4480 Vimy St, Glenwood Sports Centre.
TOFINO/UCLUELET
Ucluelet’s harbour master, Kevin Cortes, received the Individual Achievement Distinction award on February 5 at a banquet held at Richmond’s RiverRock Casino Resort.
The proposed financial plan for the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) has been made public. It calls for an overall tax increase of 7.32% and a total budget of about $38.8 million for 2026.
NANAIMO
Norm’s Plumbing has official launched its new Excavation Division.
The Snaw-Naw-As First Nation bought a 13.5-acre plot of land to turn into a community-led Farm Hub. The land will then be turned into a working showcase and training farm, which will make Snaw-Naw-As a leader in the region when it comes to Indigenous food security and agritourism.
The Island North Film Commission (INfilm) has been given $30,000 by the Nanaimo city council.
The Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools – School District 68 is hiring for a full-time Capital Projects Coordinator.
The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce is having its next Monthly Business After Business on February 26th at Aspengrove School in Ravens Nest. Members and future members are welcome.
Shift Coastal Technologies Ltd. collaborates with Canadian industry, coastal First Nations, and government partners to implement cutting-edge marine technologies for both defence and civilian purposes.
Nanaimo Foundation has been named 2026 Non-Profit Organization of the Year at the 24th Annual Vancouver Island Business Excellence Awards.
Residents in the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN), which encompasses Nanaimo, Lantzville, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, and Electoral Areas A, B, C, E, F, G, and H, are now eligible to apply for rebates and sustainability incentives related to water stewardship for the year 2026.
SalonCentric is currently in the process of finding additional facilities to accommodate its expanding presence in Canada.
LADYSMITH/CHEMAINUS
The province’s premier affordable-housing program, which is currently not accepting any new applications, will likely have to suspend plans for a 58-unit affordable housing development at the former elementary school site in Chemainus.
Ladysmith Little Theatre and Ladysmith Musical Arts will present Cabaret from Feb. 19 to March 15.
The Giant Street Market will be held on July 5, 2026, at Waterwheel Parking Lot, Willow Street.
COWICHAN VALLEY/DUNCAN
Ali Kirkpatrick has assumed ownership of Duncan’s Blend Gathered Goods Vintage & New, which is located at 161 Kenneth St.
Jeff Kibble, the Member of Parliament for Cowichan–Malahat–Langford, will headline the Speaker Series Luncheon at the Best Western Cowichan Valley Inn on March 5, which will be hosted by the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce.
The proposed tax increase for 2026 in North Cowichan has been reduced to 8.42 per cent as the result of a council discussion at a budget meeting on February 10.
A Proposal for a 20-unit townhouse development on a plot of land in North Cowichan has been given the green light.
Send your business announcements, news, celebrations or new hires HERE
